The Siege of Pinchgut

An ambulance is hijacked by escaped convict Matt Kirk and three accomplices who forcibly take control of the vehicle. They intimidate the crew and avoid immediate detection as they drive through Sydney. The group heads toward the harbor, aiming to disappear by sea.

The hijackers slip past hospital authorities and slip away by a bought vessel, intending to head north. Police scramble to track their movements as the group pushes toward the open water. The escape marks the start of a tense maritime chase.

Before they reach the Heads, their boat breaks down, leaving them stranded in the harbor. With pursuit looming, they decide to take refuge on Fort Denison, turning the fortress into a temporary sanctuary. Tensions rise as they settle in and plan their next move.

The gang seizes caretaker Pat Fulton and his family, turning the fort into a hostage situation. The trio maintains an outward calm while they await their chance to depart again. Pat, his wife, and daughter Ann become pawns in a dangerous siege.

A boatload of tourists arrives at the fort, creating a veneer of normalcy. Pat manages to keep up appearances as Constable Macey visits with milk, and Ann screams for help, alerting authorities to the standoff. The siege tightens around the occupants.

Superintendent Hanna leads the siege as police tighten their perimeter around Fort Denison. Matt is reluctant to hurt anyone at first, but his resolve weakens after Johnny is shot by Macey. Negotiations begin amid the growing tension.

Bert, an ex-naval gunner, explains the fort’s gun could devastate a nearby munitions ship in the harbor. However, the shells lie behind three heavy doors at the bottom of the fort and must be pryed open under pressure. The looming threat keeps both sides on edge.

Matt demands a retrial for his conviction in exchange for not firing the gun, using the threat to force a political concession. Police and negotiators attempt to steer the situation toward surrender rather than bloodshed. The standoff becomes a high-stakes bargaining moment.

Authorities begin evacuating harbourside suburbs as snipers position themselves around the fort. Luke is killed by the snipers, escalating the personal stakes for the gang. A sailor aboard the munitions ship becomes trapped beneath crates, heightening the danger.

Matt and Bert manage to retrieve ammunition for the fort’s gun, moving toward the critical firing point. Bert is shot and killed in the attempt, leaving Matt to face the weapon alone. The balance shifts decisively toward a deadly resolution.

Matt loads the gun and prepares to fire, only to discover Johnny has disabled the firing pin. The plan unravels in an instant, plunging the standoff into a tense confrontation between brothers. The failure of engineered leverage changes the dynamics of the fight.

In a furious burst of anger, Matt attempts to kill Johnny, but the situation spirals and police action accelerates. The island is subjected to a raid as officers move in with force to end the siege. The emotional toll of the standoff becomes undeniable.

Hanna leads a full-scale assault and Matt is killed in the ensuing chaos. Johnny is arrested and Pat promises to advocate for him, seeking some measure of justice amid the tragedy. The fort is secured, and the hijacking ordeal concludes with heavy losses.